Effects of olfactory and/or gustatory stimuli on feeding of preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of olfactory and/or gustatory stimulation interventions on feeding outcomes in preterm infants. METHODS: We conducted systematic searches across various academic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Database, and the Wipu Database. These searches aimed to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of olfactory and/or gustatory stimulation on preterm infants. The search period spanned from the inception of the databases until December 2022. Two independent evaluators autonomously reviewed the literature, extracted pertinent data, assessed the quality of the included studies, and conducted a meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 7 randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies were included, with a total of 871 participants. Olfactory and gustatory stimulation demonstrated a reduction in the time to full enteral feeds in preterm infants when compared to usual care (MD = -1.60 days; 95% CI = -2.31, -0.89; p<0.0001). No substantial evidence was identified regarding the influence of olfactory and gustatory stimulation on the duration of gastric tube placement, length of hospitalization, incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, or occurrence of spontaneous bowel perforation in preterm infants. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory and gustatory stimulation show potential benefits for preterm infants. However, due to the low to very low level of certainty associated with the available data, our ability to assess the effects is limited. Further trials and studies are essential to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms and effectiveness of olfactory and gustatory stimulation therapies.

Loneliness in nursing homes: A qualitative meta-synthesis of older people's experiences.

BACKGROUND: Older people in the nursing home environment are much less mobile and capable of taking care of themselves as they age, and most of them face the plight of loneliness, which seriously affects the quality of life of older people in their later years. AIMS: A systematic review and synthesis of older people's experiences of loneliness in nursing homes. DESIGN: Following ENTREQ, do a systematic evaluation and synthesis of qualitative investigations. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, the Chinese biomedical literature service system, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Wanfang Database and the Wipu Database for qualitative studies of older people's experiences of loneliness in nursing homes was conducted with a search time frame of March 2023. Evaluation of the quality of the literature using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research, And the data were synthesised using Thomas and Harden's method of thematic and content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 13 papers were included, and 36 research findings were distilled and integrated into three themes: causes of loneliness; feelings of loneliness; coping with loneliness; and seven sub-themes: aging and loss; environmental transformation; loneliness is a pain; loneliness is a choice; participation; strengthening social ties; and diverting attention. CONCLUSIONS: Older people in nursing homes face varying degrees of loneliness, which is a subjective feeling influenced by the interplay between personal awareness and the external environment, so future care interventions should be developed in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the characteristics of the older people themselves and their external environment. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study is a meta-synthesis and does not require relevant contributions from patients or the public.